Bruins Need a "Mini-Tank" to End a Very Rough 2024-25 Season
Getting a draft pick in the top 10 could turn around their fortunes very quickly...
The Boston Bruins don’t have seasons like the one they’re having right now. They usually occupy a place at or near the top of the standings. The postseason usually has a place for them waiting.
But not this year. After a 4-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night, the Bruins had the fewest amount of points in the Eastern Conference. They also have the fourth fewest points in the NHL.
The Bruins, for so long, have been a model of consistency for how to play in the regular season. Even for the most consistent teams, the circumstances can and will eventually catch up with them.
The question on the minds of many is where will the Bruins go from here? How should they handle the rest of 2024-25 season?
It honestly isn’t the worst time to do a mini-tank. With only six games left, it’s actually good for business.
How Did We Get Here?
Issues with the Bruins started at the very beginning. Their number-one goaltender Jeremy Swayman didn’t have a contract until two days before the season began.
Swayman eventually signed an 8-year, $66 million contract. The negotiation was tough and led to a standoff that was eventually worked out.
The Bruins allowed four goals in their first period of the season on route to a 6-4 loss to the Florida Panthers.
To say Swayman’s season hasn’t gone according to plan would be a big understatement. He’s having statistically his worst season by far with a 3.12 goals-against and an .892 save percentage.
Swayman had never been above a 2.53 goals-against and below a .914 save percentage until this season. Blame can be equally shared between his performance and the performance of the team in front of him.
Jim Montgomery was fired on Nov 19 after an 8-9-3 start to the season. The Bruins were handed a 5-1 loss on home ice to the Columbus Blue Jackets. The change took place the day after.
The Bruins are 29th in goals for scoring just 2.61 goals per game. At the same time, they allow the eighth most goals in the NHL at 3.29 (as of Thursday.) Their team save percentage is just .885, seventh worst in the league.
Brad Marchand is gone. So is Brandon Carlo. Trent Frederic was traded. Charlie McAvoy is hurt. Even David Pastrnak’s production hasn’t been enough to prevent this.
The Bruins came to a crossroads. They had to do something. They traded their captain. Now their attention turns to the future.
Mini Tank
Whether anyone wants to admit it or not, the Bruins really can’t gain much of anything in their final games of this season. They are truly playing out the string.
This is exactly why a tank is best for business.
The 2025 NHL Draft is considered by many to be top-loaded. Whether it’s a defenseman like Matthew Schaefer or any of the top forwards like Porter Martone, James Hagans or Michael Misa, there is a premium to be the holder of a pick inside the top-four.
